The Golden Girls was so much bigger than a simple television series. In just a few short years, audiences began to view these characters as if they were their own personal friends.

One of the show’s stars, Estelle Getty, better known as Sophia Petrillo, couldn’t have been happier with the audience the series had cultivated, particularly viewers who were a bit older. To those fans, Sophia wasn’t just a friend; she was a mentor.

“I’m proud to be part of The Golden Girls,” Getty said during an interview with the Star Tribune. “Showing four older women who are willing to experiment with life, to voice their opinions, to say ‘I’m part of this society and I can do everything you can do,’ has done a lot of wonderful things for women my age. Television is a powerful medium, and it’s clear from the letters we get that older women now feel freer to express their needs and desires. It’s a fulfilling thought.”

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Getty was grateful for her success and understood just how much her character meant to fans everywhere. “I think a big part of Sophia’s appeal is that our writers, who are absolutely brilliant, have made her so real and accessible. I don’t think anybody would be afraid to walk over to Sophia and start chatting. People see this character and think, I could talk to this lady.”